Key information
Gain foundational knowledge in psychology and get prepared for degree level studies. This is an alternative route where you after your first year you will progress onto second-year study of an undergraduate degree.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation is an alternative route to begin your degree offering direct entry to second-year study across our undergraduate degrees. It provides you with foundational knowledge in psychology, where you can choose your courses depending on your specific interests and career aspirations.
Towards the end of your first year, you will have the opportunity to work closely with your academics to identify which undergraduate degree programme you will progress onto in second year. It can be overwhelming choosing a degree before starting university, so this approach means that you can make your decision based on your learning.
Degree pathways
Successful completion of this programme offers a direct pathway to a wide range of professionally relevant degrees:
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work in the Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences covers three key areas:
- Cognition, brain, and behaviour
- Lifespan health and wellbeing
- Work, society, and environment
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
On successful completion of year one, you will progress to year two on one of the following programmes:
Mandatory AY
- Psychology
Optional AY
- Business Management
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Accounting
- Academic English and Study Skills
- Academic Skills Project
Year 2
On successful completion of year two, you'll progress to year three.
Year 3
On successful completion of year three, you'll progress to year four.
Year 4
On successful completion of year four, you'll progress to graduation.
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
On successful completion of year one, you will progress to year two on one of the following programmes:
Mandatory AY
- Psychology
Optional AY
- Business Management
- Accounting
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Academic Skills Project
- Academic English and Study Skills
Year 2
On successful completion of year two, you'll progress to year three.
Year 3
On successful completion of year three, you'll progress to year four.
Year 4
On successful completion of year four, you'll progress to graduation.
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| England / Wales / N Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £20,080 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Academic entry requirements
- Highers CCD + National 5 Maths and English at Grade C
- A-Levels DEE/CD + GCSE English and Maths at C/4 is required
- International Baccalaureate 25 points including H5 + H4 OR H4+H4+H3. S4 Maths and English
- BTEC Extended Diploma MMP + GCSE English and Maths at C/4
International academic entry requirements
- China - Senior High 2 - average grade of 70% or Senior High 3 at an average of 65%
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland - A Levels - DEE/CD including a science or maths. GCSE English and Maths at C/4 (for Pathways in: Built Environment, Engineering and Science, Mathematical and Computer Science), or A Levels DEE/CD + GCSE English and Maths at C/4 (for Pathways in: Accounting, Economics and Business Management, and Psychology).
- Ghana - West African School Certificate (WAEC) - or Senior School Certificate in four subjects with grades 1-6 (A-C)
- Hong Kong - Form 5 in four academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis) or HKDSE with grades 223 in relevant subjects
- India - Standard 10 + 1 - 70% or Standard 10 + 2 at 55%
- Indonesia - SMU 2 - Grade 7.0 or SMU 3 Grade 6.5 (five relevant subjects required)
- Iran - High School Diploma (3 years) - average grade of at least 14 (in relevant subjects)
- Jordan - Tawjihi - 80% in 4 relevant subjects
- Kazakhstan - ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education - grade average of 4
- Kuwait - Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama - passmark of 80% in relevant subjects
- Libya - Secondary Education Certificate - average of 80%
- Malaysia - Form 5. Ter, 2 or Mid-Year Transcript - A-C in five relevant subjects
- Nigeria - WAEC or SSC - grades 1-6 in four relevant subjects.
- Qatar - Thanawaya Aam Qatari - average grade 80% in relevant subjects
- Saudi Arabia - Tawjihi - average of 80% in relevant subjects
- Thailand - MAW5 - GPA of 2.5 or of MAW 6 with a GPA of 2.0 in six relevant subjects
- United Arab Emirates - Tawjihi - 80% or above in relevant subjects
- Ukraine - ATTESTAT/11th Grade Certificate of Secondary Education - grade average of 7.0
- Vietnam - Completion of Year 12 at Secondary School with average grade of 7.0
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 5.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
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